Modular stacking container system

ABSTRACT

A modular, stackable, interlocking container system including a number of stackable containers having the same diameter. Each container includes a jar and a lid. The jars and lids both have ribs spaced 180 degrees apart on side surfaces to serve as alignment and tightening indicators. The lids and jars also have a detent feature for interlocking containers together with both tactile and feedback to the user. The container system also has a handle that can interlock with a lid of any of the containers in the system.

CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/866,327, filed on Jun. 25, 2019, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a modular stacking containersystem that may be suitable for transport.

Containers are used to store a variety of items, including food, liquid,money, craft supplies, trinkets, knick knacks, etc. Sometimes it can beuseful to have several individual containers to keep things separated.For example, one container can be used to store a drink while anothercontainer can be used to store food.

Although having separate individual containers can work, sometimes thereis a need to carry separate containers together. There are continuingefforts to develop new container systems that provide not only improvedfunction and convenience but are also suitable for transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular stacking container system inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a container and a handle inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2B is an exploded bottom perspective view of the container andhandle shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a container in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the containershown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the jar of thecontainer shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3D is a top plan view of the embodiment of the lid of the containershown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3E is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of thecontainer shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a container in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the embodiment of the handle shown inFIG. 4A with the hook released from the hole.

FIG. 4C is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the handle shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4D is a side cross-sectional view of the handle interlocked with alid in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates generally to a stackable container system.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4D, embodiments of a modular, stackable,interlocking container system will be described herein. FIG. 1 is aperspective view of an embodiment of a modular stacking container system100. The modular stacking container system 100 includes at least twostackable containers 110 and a handle 120 for carrying the containersystem 100. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes four containers 110.The containers 110 are suitable for storing a variety of items, such asdry goods, snacks, liquids, vitamins, coins, hardware, knick-knacks,etc. The containers 110 can be stacked vertically for convenient storageand transport, as described in more detail below.

Within each container system 100, the containers 110 can be of varyingsizes (i.e., heights), as shown in FIG. 1. The containers 110 can bestacked in any order as each container 110 is capable of being stackedon top of and secured to another container 110. However, within eachcontainer system 100, the containers 110 all have the same diameter toallow stacking and interlocking of the containers 110. It will beunderstood that the handle 120 also has the same diameter as thecontainer 110, and is provided to facilitate transport of the containersystem 100.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded perspective views of a container 110 and ahandle 120. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, each container 110 includes ajar 112 and a lid 114, which can include an integrated o-ring seal 116to allow secure storage of liquids within the container 110. It will beunderstood that only one container 110 with a handle 120 is shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, but that additional containers 110 can be stacked in avertical fashion. The containers 110 within a system 100 can havevarying heights, but will all have the same diameter. FIGS. 3A and 3Bare perspective views of a container 110.

The lid 114 is secured to the jar portion 112 of the container 110 byscrewing the lid 114 onto the jar portion 112 via corresponding threadedportions on both the lid 114 and the jar portion 112. As will bedescribed in more detail below, according to an embodiment, the top ofeach lid 114 interfaces with grooves on the jar portion 112 of thecontainer 100 in a bayonet-style fitting. A simple half-twist locks alid 114 to ajar portion 112.

Each container system 100 has a handle 120 that can connect to theuppermost lid 114 in the container system 100 to allow a user toconveniently hold the container system 100. The handle 120 can alsoserve as a “carabiner” or clip so that the handle 120 (and containersystem 100) can be clipped onto a backpack or a purse loop. As shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the handle 120 includes two uprights 122, 123 and ahorizontal gripping area 124 to form the arched portion of the handle.The uprights 122, 123 extend upwards from a disk-shaped base 126. Asshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, one of the uprights 122 of the handle 120features a break and a hook/recess snap feature that allow the handle120 to be bent apart at that spot. This upright 122 features a splitwith a hook 127 and hole 128 feature. In the illustrated embodiment,there is a thumb pad 135 between the hook 127 and the horizontalgripping area 124. The handle 120 may be pushed inwards (toward thecenter of the handle 120), using a thumb or other object, at this thumbpad 125 to release the hook 127 from the hole 128. The handle 120 maythen be bent up and away from the base 126, creating a gap through whicha user can slide a loop of material (e.g. a fixed loop on a backpack,purse, etc.). Once something is passed through the gap, the user pressesdown on the horizontal gripping area 124 to re-connect the hook 127 intothe loop. The hook feature 127 is oriented with the hook 127 facingupwards. This means that when the hook 127 is connected into the opening128, the weight of the containers 110 and their contents serve the pressthe hook 127 into position and inhibits accidental opening.

According to an embodiment, the lid 114 and the jar 112 each have twoshallow, vertical ribs 118, 119 that are spaced 180 degrees apart on theside surface, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D. The ribs 118, 119 serveseveral functions. The ribs 118, 119 aid in the user having increasedgrip or purchase on the lid 114 as well as the jar 112. The ribs 118,119 also serve as a visual indicator of alignment of the lid 114 withthe jar 112. The ribs 118, 119 are a visual reference of where threadson the lid 114 and jar 112 begin. The lid 114 starts threading onto thejar 112 when the ribs 118, 119 are aligned. Thus, the user knows thatthe most efficient way to secure the lid 114 to the jar 112 is to alignthe ribs 118, 119 and then rotate the lid 114 clockwise relative to thejar 112.

According to an embodiment, when the lid 114 is rotated 180 degrees, itis fully interlocked with the jar 112 and the ribs 118, 119 are againaligned. Thus, the ribs 118, 119 also serve as a tightening indicator.When the lid 114 is fully tightened onto ajar 112, the ribs 118 of thelid 114 will align with the ribs 119 of the jar 112. Thus, a user canget a quickly visual check that the lid 114 is fully tightened and thecontainer 110 is sealed. There is a hard stop at the end of thetightening action, so the user cannot over-tighten the lid 114 past theribs-aligned position. The uprights 122, 123 of the handle 120 alsoserve as alignment and tightening indicators, similar to the ribs 118,119. In this embodiment, where a half-twist or 180 degree turn fullyinterlocks the lid 114 and the jar 112, the lid 114 and jar 112 eachhave two separate “threads.” Other configurations are possible. Forexample, a 120 degree rotation to fully interlock the lid and the jarwould require three “threads” a rotation of 360 degrees to fullyinterlock the lid and jar would require only one thread.

The lid 114 also has a detent feature 115 that, along with correspondingfeatures 117 on the bottom surface of the jar 112, serves to let theuser know that the lid 114 is fully rotated into place on the jar 112and interlocked with the jar 112. As described above, the lid 114 isaligned with the jar 112 using the ribs 118, 119 as visual guidance andthen rotated 180 degrees to interlock the lid 114 with the jar 112, witha bayonet fitting. Namely, the top of each lid 114 has a raised ovalfeature 115, which could include an embossed logo, for example. Thebottom surface of each jar 112 has two embossed “C”-shaped forms 117.Similarly, the bottom surface of the handle 120 also has two embossed“C”-shaped forms 117. When securing a lid 114 to a jar 112, the userrotates the lid 114 relative to the jar 112 until the lid 114 can bepressed flat against the jar 112 (there is about a 45-degree area wherethis can happen, otherwise the bayonet features get in the way). Oncethe lid 114 is flat against the jar 112, the raised oval feature 114will be roughly perpendicular to the two C-shaped lobes 117 on thebottom surface of the jar 112. As the user rotates, the raised ovalfeature 115 eventually collides with the C-shaped lobes 117. TheC-shaped lobes 117 are ramped such that when the raised oval feature 115hits them, the ramps push the raised oval feature 115 inwards (or, awayfrom the container base). In other words, when the raised oval feature115 of the lid 114 hits the C-lobes 117, the lid 114 is deflected awayfrom the container base (the lid 114 basically dishes like a contactlens). As the user continues to rotate the lid 114, eventually theraised oval feature 115 passes over the C-shaped lobes 117 and thencomes to rest in a recess between the C-shaped lobes 117 sized toaccommodate the raised oval feature 115. In this way, the users getsboth tactile feedback (the friction as the raised oval feature 115 hitsthe C-shaped lobes 117 and while the lid 114 is being momentarilydeformed), and audible feedback in the form of a “click” when the raisedoval feature 115 comes to reset in its final position in the recessbetween the C-shaped lobes 117.

According to an embodiment, the jar 112 has a curved base. This curvedbottom on the exterior of the jar 112 allows the jar 112 to be pushedinto a pocket more easily. On the interior of the jar 112, the curvemakes for a more-easily-cleanable container (as opposed to a jar havinga sharp internal corner).

According to an embodiment, the void between the handle 120 and the lid114 to which the handle 120 is secured can be used to fit items, such asutensils (i.e., fork and spoon). Other items, such as condiment packets,salt and pepper packets, keys, money, etc., can also be stored in thisspace. According to an embodiment, a separate utility tray can fitwithin this space. This tray can be fitted with bayonet features. A trayhaving holes could be used as a shaker for condiments or a colander. Insome embodiment, a light can be provided on the tray.

Although only a few embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it should be appreciated that the invention may be implementedin many other forms without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. In view of all of the foregoing, it should be apparent thatthe present embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive and theinvention is not limited to the details given herein, but may bemodified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular, stackable, interlocking containersystem, comprising: at least one container comprising a jar and a lid,wherein a first pair of ribs is spaced 180 degrees apart on a sidesurface of the jar and a second pair of ribs is spaced 180 degrees aparton a side surface of the lid, wherein the first pair of ribs and thesecond pair of ribs are aligned when the lid is fully interlocked withthe jar; and a handle configured to engage and interlock with thecontainer.
 2. The modular, stackable, interlocking container system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the handle comprises: a disk-shaped base;and a horizontal grabbing portion; a first upright portion connectingthe horizontal grabbing portion and the base; and a second uprightportion connecting the horizontal grabbing portion and the base, whereinthe second upright portion includes a hook and loop, wherein the hookcan be inserted into the loop to close the handle and wherein the hookcan be unhooked from the loop to open the handle.
 3. The modular,stackable, interlocking container system as recited in claim 1,comprising at least two containers wherein each of the at least twocontainers has a same diameter.
 4. The modular, stackable, interlockingcontainer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least onecontainer comprises an integrated o-ring seal.
 5. The modular,stackable, interlocking container system as recited in claim 1, whereinthe jar and the lid can be fully interlocked by rotating the lid 180degrees relative to the jar.
 6. The modular, stackable, interlockingcontainer system as recited in claim 1, comprising at least twocontainers, wherein each lid comprises a raised oval on its top surfaceand each jar comprises two C-shaped features into which the raised ovalcan register when the lid is rotated relative to the jar when the jar isover the lid.
 7. The modular, stackable, interlocking container systemas recited in claim 1, wherein each C-shaped feature comprises a rampalong which the raised oval can slide.
 8. A stackable container system,comprising: at least two containers, wherein each container comprises ajar and a lid, wherein each lid comprises a raised oval on its topsurface and each jar comprises two C-shaped features into which theraised oval can register when the lid is rotated relative to the jarwhen the jar is over the lid; and a handle configured to engage andinterlock with the container.
 9. The stackable container system, whereinthe handle is configured to serve as a clip.